South Korea has been running rampant with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has racked up nearly 150 cases and counting. On Friday alone, South Korea reported 52 new cases, putting the total to 152. The new cases reported are spread across Daegu (41), a city which lies around 300 km from Seoul. 39 of the latest cases form a cluster towards a particular religious sector.
Authorities even confirmed their first death on Thursday in the neighboring city of Cheongdu. The subject in question was put in a mental health facility where 14 patients were tested positive.
Both the infected cities of Daegu and Cheongdu have been designated as “special care zone” and the government in Seoul has promised quick measures to fight the virus in all offense. “It is urgent to find people who have contacted infected people and cure patients,” Prime Minister Chung said according to news agency Yonhap.
He further adds “The government has so far focused on curbing infections coming from outside the country. From now on, the government will further prioritize preventing the virus from spreading locally.”
South Korean officials are moving full steam ahead as the Health Minister Park Neung-hoo would allow hospitals to isolate special wards for the virus-driven subjects to prevent spreading of the virus. South Korea’s defense Minister even leaped in and ordered a lock-down for all personnel and revoked leaves after several soldiers tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
While North Korea made an appearance in the world media quoting that they have no cases of the virus at the moment. International isolation does seem to have its benefits it seems. The latest numbers show China has risen to a death toll of around 2,236 from the virus and the number of people infected to well above 75,000 with no end to the horizon.
